Day 180: Extreme Longing

Summary

Podcast Summary: Extreme Devotion Episode: Day 180: Extreme Longing
Host/Author: The Voice of The Martyrs
Release Date: June 29, 2025

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Introduction

In the Day 180: Extreme Longing episode of Extreme Devotion, hosted by The Voice of The Martyrs, listeners are introduced to the poignant reflections of an Iranian pastor who endured severe persecution for his faith. This episode delves deep into the pastor’s journey, exploring the complexities of longing for fellowship amidst suffering and the profound impact of unwavering faith.

The Story of the Iranian Pastor

The episode opens with a powerful scripture reference:
"For our present troubles are small and won't last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever."
— 2 Corinthians 4:17 [00:00]

This verse sets the stage for the narrative of an Iranian pastor who faced arrest, police harassment, and the loss of his home and job due to his steadfast faith. Despite escaping to the West, the pastor expresses an unexpected sentiment: he sometimes misses the days of persecution.

Life During Persecution

During his time in Iran, the pastor lived amidst the turmoil of the Iran-Iraq war, planting a church near the front lines.

"Sometimes I miss those days," he admits [02:15], revealing that the constant challenges made him feel profoundly alive and intimately connected with Jesus.

To support himself and his ministry, he drove a taxi, using his interactions with passengers to share Christ. Remarkably, within two years, he had reached souls from nine different language groups and baptized 15 Muslim converts. His dedication extended beyond his personal faith, nurturing a thriving community:

• Ten members of his church evolved into pastors themselves [08:30].
• His church became a beacon of hope and resilience even amidst bombing and financial scarcity.

Life After Escaping to the West

Upon relocating to the West, the pastor experienced newfound freedom to live and worship without fear of persecution. However, the absence of daily trials led to an unexpected longing.

"I felt every day that Jesus was with me," he reflects [05:45], highlighting the deep spiritual connections forged during times of hardship.

The pastor and his wife consistently relied on prayer for protection and provision:

• Protection during bombings [04:50].
• Provision during financial shortages [06:20].

Their unwavering faith was continually affirmed as God provided for their needs, reinforcing the rewards of their ministry.

Reflections on Persecution and Longing

The episode delves into the emotional landscape of those who have faced persecution:

• Longing for Fellowship:

  "They long not for the persecution as much as they long for the sense of fellowship their persecution brought them." [12:10]

• Learning from Suffering:

  "They don't miss the torture as much. They miss what the torture taught them." [13:45]

The pastor underscores that the end result far outweighs the suffering, emphasizing that true devotion often requires the obedient sacrifice of enduring hardships.

Conclusion

Day 180: Extreme Longing poignantly captures the duality of persecution—while the immediate suffering is excruciating, it cultivates a deeper sense of community and spiritual growth that remains cherished even after the trials have ended. The Iranian pastor’s story serves as a testament to the enduring power of faith and the profound connections formed in the crucible of adversity.

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Notable Quotes:

• "Sometimes I miss those days," says the Iranian pastor [02:15].
• "If you've never been in love, you cannot understand what it is to be heartbroken." [10:05]
• "If you want to experience a deeper walk with Jesus, you must be willing to obediently sacrifice for Him. That is also a type of suffering." [15:30]

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This episode is a compelling exploration of faith under fire, illustrating how extreme devotion can transform suffering into lasting spiritual legacy.

Transcript

[A]

From the voice of the martyrs. Extreme devotion, extreme longing. A persecuted pastor. Day 180. For our present troubles are small and won't last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever. 2 Corinthians, chapter 4, verse 17. Sometimes I miss those days of persecution. The words came from an Iranian pastor who had escaped to the West. In Iran, arrest and police harassment were common experiences. He had even lost his home and job because of his faith. Now he was free to live and worship wherever he wished. How could he long for the days of persecution? Sometimes I miss those days, he said, because I was so alive. I felt every day that Jesus was with me. The pastor had planted a church near the front lines of the Iran Iraq war. He earned money by driving a taxi and grew his church by sharing Christ with his passengers. In two years, he had won souls from nine language groups. Many soldiers worshiped with him each week, and he had baptized 15 Muslim converts. The pastor and his wife counted on God for everything. When the bombs of war fell around them, they prayed for his protection. When there wasn't enough money, they prayed for his provision. And each day God came through for them, their ministry was rewarded. Ten members of his church have gone on to become pastors. Even now, the pastor can see fruit from the time of ministry on the front lines. If you've never been in love, you cannot understand what it is to be heartbroken. If you have never lost a loved one, you cannot truly relate to those who mourn. You cannot understand a longing for something you have never experienced. Those who have been persecuted for their faith describe a peculiar longing. They long not for the persecution as much as they long for the sense of fellowship their persecution brought them. They don't miss the torture as much. They miss what the torture taught them. The end result far outweighs the suffering. If you want to experience a deeper walk with Jesus, you must be willing to obediently sacrifice for Him. That is also a type of suffering.